Red Lionfish vs Wels Catfish
Pterois volitans compared with Silurus glanis
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Red Lionfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterois volitans | Silurus glanis |
| Order | Scorpaeniformes | Siluriformes |
| Family | Scorpaenidae | Siluridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Red Lionfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 38.0 cm | 500.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 1.1 kg | 300.0 kg |
| Color | White to cream body with alternating bold reddish-brown and white vertical bands; fan-like pectoral fins are banded with red-brown and white spots; long dorsal spines are striped and venomous. | Dark olive-green to slate-gray back with irregular mottled marbling of darker blotches; flanks grade to olive-yellow; scaleless smooth skin; belly pale cream to yellowish-white; head broad and flat. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Red Lionfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Brackish |
| Depth Range | 2-55m | 0-30m |
| Geographic Range | Native to the Indo-Pacific from East Africa and the Red Sea to southern Japan, Australia, and the Marquesas. Invasive in the western Atlantic and Caribbean … | Native to large river systems and lakes of central and eastern Europe from the Rhine basin east to the Caspian and Aral sea drainages. Introduced … |
| Habitat | Neritic, coral reefs | Large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across Europe and Asia (Volga, Danube, Rhine, Ob). Inhabits deep, slow-moving freshwater with soft substrates. Tolerates turbid water (15-25°C). Highly … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Red Lionfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | No | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 9/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Red Lionfish
Sweet, buttery white flesh once spines are safely removed; increasingly promoted as a sustainable food source in Atlantic waters where it is an invasive species.
Wels Catfish
Fatty, soft flesh with a mild, slightly sweet flavor; quality improves from cold, clean water fish. Popular in Central European cuisines — commonly smoked, fried, or braised with vegetables.
Species Overview
Red Lionfish
The red lionfish is a venomous coral reef fish native to the Indo-Pacific. Its ornate, striped body and fan-like pectoral fins make it popular in aquariums, but it has become a destructive invasive species in the western Atlantic and Caribbean.
Wels Catfish
The wels catfish is the largest freshwater fish in Europe, capable of exceeding 5 meters. Found in large rivers and lakes across the continent, it has been documented beaching itself to catch pigeons. It can live over 80 years.